Community Highlights: Meet Chelsea Farmers Supply of Chelsea Farmers Supply

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Farmers Supply

Hi Chelsea Farmers Supply, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Tobie Brown and Joe Schlenke met in 2013 as coworkers at Zingerman’s Roadhouse in Ann Arbor Michigan. We immediately developed an easy report and bonded over our love of food and hospitality. Within a year, we began dating and married in 2018. Our careers were in the independent coffee and food scene, and though we spent time apart at different companies we always found we worked great as a team. The Covid Pandemic was a trying time for all, and as front line hospitality workers, we encountered an extra amount of strain that some sectors did not experience. This got us evaluating and thinking about our long term goals, and we knew that we could find a place to make our own way as business owners.

During the pandemic, we began raising chickens and discovered Chelsea Farmers Supply as a local supplier for our organic feed needs. Helen, the owner at the time, was so engaging and helpful in any need we had. The store was charming- a holdover from days gone by, with deep roots in the local agricultural community. While we loved the store as customers, our jobs were paying the bills and we had no indications that a change was in the air. In 2023 Helen mentioned to us that they were ready to retire from the store and looking for buyers. While at first the idea seemed out of reach, the more we thought and planned we realized that this was the perfect opportunity for us. We sought a loan and took over as owners January 1, 2024

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While it has been tremendously gratifying to take on this venture, it has not always been smooth. Switching from the food and beverage industry to the retail agriculture scene has been a steep learning curve. We spend most of our downtime educating ourselves on the various aspects of farming, gardening, and animal care. As organic gardeners and chicken keepers, it wasn’t all foreign knowledge, but there is an expectation of the customers that we can answer any of their questions. We are operating as a partnership with no other employees at this time, and with a college freshman and high school senior, making sure to find a balance between work and home has been very important.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are an independent general store, specializing in farm, garden, wild birds, and pet supplies. Operating as Chelsea Farmers Supply continuously since 1926, we see ourselves as caretakers of a vital part of the area agricultural community. We believe strongly in organic, regenerative, and sustainable methods. We are so proud to support our local community by working with Michigan vendors and distributors as much as possible. We like to promote local and independent makers and artists to help beautify your homestead. We are committed to being a resource for all- if we don’t have a product or answer we will absolutely go the extra mile to make it happen.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Integrity. We carry brands that we believe in, from the quality of the product to the quality of their business model. We are not salespeople- we genuinely want you to have the best outcome, and if we can offer advice instead of a selling you something you don’t need, we are so happy to do that.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelsea_farmers_supply/